By Linda Smith, PA, MS Stress is inevitable. It is part of our body’s natural and automatic response to meeting life’s challenges. Yet, we all have our days (or weeks) where stress takes center stage as we attempt to meet the many demands on our time and energy. When stress becomes chronic and we are not able ...

By Linda Smith, PA, MS Description of Mindfulness Mindfulness is a practice of paying attention to the present moment on purpose with an attitude of kindness and non-judgmental awareness.  As we pay attention in this way, we increase our ability to notice all that is happening within us and around us.  The very practice of noticing, gives us ...

By Sofia Rydin-Gray, PHD - Director of Behavioral Health at Duke Diet & Fitness Center (Republished with permission from "The Healthy Weigh" blog) Have you ever heard yourself say “I can’t afford the time to focus on myself until my kids are out of the house/I retire/I have summer vacation?” We all get caught up in the busyness of ...

By Meg van Staveren, MPH, RD Meal services are popping up everywhere. You have likely heard about them from friends and acquaintances. Or, at the very least, you have seen the slick advertisements with perfectly packaged boxes overflowing with brightly colored produce. Meal services tout their ability to help you prepare healthy attractive meals with amazing convenience. No more fuss with finding the ...

By Adam Perlman, MD, MPH Integrative Medicine What is integrative medicine? Dr. Adam Perlman shares three main concepts that form the basis of his definition of integrative medicine: patient-centered care, inclusive approach, and self-actualization. Patient-centered Care According to Dr. Perlman, this means putting the patient at the center of their care, partnering with the patient, and removing patient labels. This allows ...

By Linda Smith, PA, MS Progressive Muscle Relaxation This is an opportunity to positively affect all of your muscles and increase awareness of when they are tense and what it feels like when they are relaxed. For each muscle group, first, bring your awareness to that area and just notice what it feels like. Then do the tightening ...

By Carrie Beth Summers, MS, ACSM-CPT (Republished with permission from "The Healthy Weigh" blog) I often hear the question, “Do I really need to work with a personal trainer? I think I know what I need to do.” My answer usually goes something like this: Do dentists do their own dental work? Do surgeons perform surgeries on themselves? Absolutely not! ...

By Joanne Gardner, MS, RDN, LDN What’s for dinner tonight? Have you fallen into a routine of repetitive meals that are beginning to feel boring?  Do your cruise through the grocery store and pick up the same things visit after visit. Is it time to branch out and try something new?   With springtime new growth bursting forth, it seems ...

By Linda Smith, PA, MS In this third video about habits and health behavior change, Linda Smith, Director of Educational Programs at Duke Integrative Medicine, talks about five tips for breaking bad habits. Watch the video below to learn how noticing when your habits become automatic, identifying daily triggers, and practicing mindful awareness can help you transform habits into ...

By Linda Smith, PA, MS Practicing Compassion and Kindness Gratitude, forgiveness and compassion can lead to big changes in how you feel, physically and emotionally.  Compassion is a wish to ease suffering.  It is the ability to meet yourself and others with an attitude of kindness.  This does not mean holding back or suppressing negative emotions.  Rather it is a ...